Software algorithms for electrosurgical instruments

ABSTRACT

A surgical system includes a module for compiling a plurality of operational parameters of the surgical system during a plurality of treatment cycles performed by the surgical system. The module includes a processor and a memory unit, the processor configured to store in the memory unit values of the plurality of operational parameters associated with each of the plurality of treatment cycles, wherein the processor is configured to identify a subset of the stored values of the plurality of operational parameters temporally proximate to an intervening event.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application claiming priority under 35U.S.C. § 121 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/252,824, entitledSOFTWARE ALGORITHMS FOR ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, filed Apr. 15,2014, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0289925, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments and generatorsfor supplying energy to surgical instruments, for use in open orminimally invasive surgical environments.

In various open, endoscopic, and/or laparoscopic surgeries, for example,it may be desirable to coagulate, seal, and/or fuse tissue. One methodof sealing tissue relies upon the application of energy to tissuecaptured or clamped within an end effector or an end-effector assemblyof a surgical instrument in order to cause thermal effects within thetissue. Various electrosurgical surgical instruments and Ultrasonicsurgical instruments have been developed for such purposes. In general,the delivery of energy to captured tissue can elevate the temperature ofthe tissue and, as a result, the energy can at least partially denatureproteins within the tissue. Such proteins, like collagen, for example,can be denatured into a proteinaceous amalgam that intermixes and fuses,or seals, together as the proteins renature. As the treated region healsover time, this biological seal may be reabsorbed by the body's woundhealing process.

Depending upon specific device configurations and operationalparameters, ultrasonic surgical devices can provide substantiallysimultaneous transection of tissue and homeostasis by coagulation,desirably minimizing patient trauma. An ultrasonic surgical device maycomprise a handpiece containing an ultrasonic transducer, and aninstrument coupled to the ultrasonic transducer having adistally-mounted end effector (e.g., a blade tip) to cut and sealtissue. In some cases, the instrument may be permanently affixed to thehandpiece. In other cases, the instrument may be detachable from thehandpiece, as in the case of a disposable instrument or an instrumentthat is interchangeable between different handpieces. The end effectortransmits ultrasonic energy to tissue brought into contact with the endeffector to realize cutting and sealing action. Ultrasonic surgicaldevices of this nature can be configured for open surgical use,laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgical procedures includingrobotic-assisted procedures.

Electrosurgical devices for applying electrical energy to tissue inorder to treat and/or destroy the tissue are also finding increasinglywidespread applications in surgical procedures. An electrosurgicaldevice can be used in connection with a generator which may supplyenergy to the electrosurgical device. An electrosurgical device maycomprise a handpiece and an instrument having a distally-mounted endeffector (e.g., one or more electrodes). The end effector can bepositioned against the tissue such that electrical current is introducedinto the tissue. Electrosurgical devices can be configured for bipolaror monopolar operation. During bipolar operation, current is introducedinto and returned from the tissue by active and return electrodes,respectively, of the end effector. During monopolar operation, currentis introduced into the tissue by an active electrode of the end effectorand returned through a return electrode (e.g., a grounding pad)separately located on a patient's body. Heat generated by the currentflow through the tissue may form hemostatic seals within the tissueand/or between tissues and thus may be particularly useful for sealingblood vessels, for example. The end effector of an electrosurgicaldevice may also comprise a cutting member that is movable relative tothe tissue and the electrodes to transect the tissue.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate various aspectsof the related art and should not be taken as a disavowal of claimscope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of this invention, and the manner ofattaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description ofembodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a surgical system comprising agenerator and various surgical instruments usable therewith;

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of an example ultrasonic device thatmay be used for transection and/or sealing;

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of an end effector of the exampleultrasonic device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an example electrosurgical devicethat may also be used for transection and sealing;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate one embodiment of the end effector shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the surgical system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a surgical system comprising agenerator and a controller in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 9A illustrates a block diagram of a surgical system comprising agenerator and a controller in accordance with certain embodimentsdescribed herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates a module for use with the system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates a module for use with the system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 illustrates a module for use with the system of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary graph demonstrating an increasing trend inminimum cycle impedance;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary table format of a database;

FIG. 14A is an exemplary graph demonstrating power (P) supplied by thegenerator of FIG. 9A over treatment cycle time (T);

FIG. 15 illustrates a module for use with the system of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 15A illustrates a module for use with the system of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 15B illustrates a micro-usb connector for use with the system ofFIG. 9A;

FIG. 16 illustrates a module for use with the system of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 17 illustrates a module for use with the system of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 18 illustrates a module for use with the system of FIG. 9A; and

FIG. 19 a block diagram of a surgical system comprising a generator anda controller in accordance with certain embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that thedevices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and thatthe scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is definedsolely by the claims. The features illustrated or described inconnection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with thefeatures of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations areintended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Various embodiments are directed to improved ultrasonic surgicaldevices, electrosurgical devices and generators for use therewith.Embodiments of the ultrasonic surgical devices can be configured fortransecting and/or coagulating tissue during surgical procedures, forexample. Embodiments of the electrosurgical devices can be configuredfor transecting, coagulating, scaling, welding, and/or desiccatingtissue during surgical procedures, for example.

The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to aclinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument.The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinicianand the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from theclinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience andclarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and“down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However,surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, andthese terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgicalsystem, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or“contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements,but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements.Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,”“has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those oneor more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one ormore features.

Turning to the Drawings wherein like numerals denote like componentsthroughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates and exemplary surgicalsystem 100 comprising a generator 102 configurable for use with surgicaldevices. According to various embodiments, the generator 102 may beconfigurable for use with surgical devices of different types,including, for example, ultrasonic surgical device 104 andelectrosurgical or RF surgical device 106. Although in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 the generator 102 is shown separate from the surgical devices104, 106, in certain embodiments the generator 102 may be formedintegrally with either of the surgical devices 104, 106 to form aunitary surgical system. In certain instances, the generator/devicecombination can be powered by an internal power source such as, forexample, a battery. Accordingly, the generator/device combination can bea cordless system that may not need to be connected to an external powersource, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example ultrasonic device 104 that may be used fortransection and/or sealing. The device 104 may comprise a hand piece 116which may, in turn, comprise an ultrasonic transducer 114. Thetransducer 114 may be in electrical communication with the generator102, for example, via a cable 122 (e.g., a multi-conductor cable). Thetransducer 114 may comprise piezoceramic elements, or other elements orcomponents suitable for converting the electrical energy of a drivesignal into mechanical vibrations. When activated by the generator 102,the ultrasonic transducer 114 may cause longitudinal vibration. Thevibration may be transmitted through an instrument portion 124 of thedevice 104 (e.g., via a waveguide embedded in an outer sheath) to an endeffector 126 of the instrument portion 124. The generator 102 may beactivated to provide the drive signal to the transducer 114 in anysuitable manner. The specific drive signal configuration may becontrolled based upon, for example, EEPROM settings in the generator 102and/or user power level selection(s). See, for example, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2011/0087216, entitled SURGICAL GENERATORFOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, filed Oct. 1, 2010, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,956,349, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the end effector 126 of the exampleultrasonic device 104. The end effector 126 may comprise a blade 151that may be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer 114 via the wave guide(not shown). When driven by the transducer 114, the blade 151 mayvibrate and, when brought into contact with tissue, may cut and/orcoagulate the tissue, as described herein. According to variousembodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the end effector 126 may alsocomprise a clamp arm 155 that may be configured for cooperative actionwith the blade 151 of the end effector 126. With the blade 151, theclamp arm 155 may comprise a set of jaws 140. The clamp arm 155 may bepivotally connected at a distal end of a shaft 153 of the instrumentportion 124. The clamp arm 155 may include a clamp arm tissue pad 163,which may be formed from TEFLON® or other suitable low-frictionmaterial. The pad 163 may be mounted for cooperation with the blade 151,with pivotal movement of the clamp arm 155 positioning the clamp pad 163in substantially parallel relationship to, and in contact with, theblade 151. By this construction, a tissue bite to be clamped may begrasped between the tissue pad 163 and the blade 151. The tissue pad 163may be provided with a sawtooth-like configuration including a pluralityof axially spaced, proximally extending gripping teeth 161 to enhancethe gripping of tissue in cooperation with the blade 151. The clamp arm155 may transition from the open position shown in FIG. 3 to a closedposition (with the clamp arm 155 in contact with or proximity to theblade 151) in any suitable manner. For example, the hand piece 116 maycomprise a jaw closure trigger 138. When actuated by a clinician, thejaw closure trigger 138 may pivot the clamp arm 155 in any suitablemanner.

The end effector 126 may also comprise a pair of electrodes 159, 157.The electrodes 159, 157 may be in communication with the generator 102,for example, via the cable 122. The electrodes 159, 157 may be used, forexample, to measure an impedance of a tissue bite present between theclamp arm 155 and the blade 151. The generator 102 may provide a signal(e.g., a non-therapeutic signal) to the electrodes 159, 157. As will bedescribed in more detail below, the impedance of the tissue bite may befound, for example, by monitoring the current, voltage, etc. of thesignal.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an example electrosurgical device106 that may also be used for transection and sealing. According tovarious embodiments, the transection and sealing device 106 may comprisea hand piece assembly 130, a shaft 165 and an end effector 132. Theshaft 165 may be rigid (e.g., for laparoscopic and/or open surgicalapplication) or flexible, as shown, (e.g., for endoscopic application).In various embodiments, the shaft 165 may comprise one or morearticulation points. The end effector 132 may comprise jaws 144 having afirst jaw member 167 and a second jaw member 169. The first jaw member167 and second jaw member 169 may be connected to a clevis 171, which,in turn, may be coupled to the shaft 165. A translating member 173 mayextend within the shaft 165 from the end effector 132 to the hand piece130. At the hand piece 130, the shaft 165 may be directly or indirectlycoupled to a jaw closure trigger 142 (FIG. 4).

The jaw members 167, 169 of the end effector 132 may comprise respectiveelectrodes 177, 179. The electrodes 177, 179 may be connected to thegenerator 102 via electrical leads 187 a, 187 b (FIG. 5) extending fromthe end effector 132 through the shaft 165 and hand piece 130 andultimately to the generator 102 (e.g., by a multiconductor cable 128).The generator 102 may provide a drive signal to the electrodes 177, 179to bring about a therapeutic effect to tissue present within the jawmembers 167, 169. The electrodes 177, 179 may comprise an activeelectrode and a return electrode, wherein the active electrode and thereturn electrode can be positioned against, or adjacent to, the tissueto be treated such that current can flow from the active electrode tothe return electrode through the tissue. As illustrated in FIG. 4, theend effector 132 is shown with the jaw members 167, 169 in an openposition. A reciprocating blade 175 is illustrated between the jawmembers 167, 169.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate one embodiment of the end effector 132 shownin FIG. 4. To close the jaws 144 of the end effector 132, a clinicianmay cause the jaw closure trigger 142 to pivot along arrow 183 from afirst position to a second position. This may cause the jaws 144 to openand close according to any suitable method. For example, motion of thejaw closure trigger 142 may, in turn, cause the translating member 173to translate within a bore 185 of the shaft 165. A distal portion of thetranslating member 173 may be coupled to a reciprocating member 197 suchthat distal and proximal motion of the translating member 173 causescorresponding distal and proximal motion of the reciprocating member.The reciprocating member 197 may have shoulder portions 191 a, 191 b,while the jaw members 167, 169 may have corresponding cam surfaces 189a, 189 b. As the reciprocating member 197 is translated distally fromthe position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7, theshoulder portions 191 a, 191 b may contact the cam surfaces 189 a, 189b, causing the jaw members 167, 169 to transition to the closedposition. Also, in various embodiments, the blade 175 may be positionedat a distal end of the reciprocating member 197. As the reciprocatingmember extends to the fully distal position shown in FIG. 7, the blade175 may be pushed through any tissue present between the jaw members167, 169, in the process, severing it.

In use, a clinician may place the end effector 132 and close the jaws144 around a tissue bite to be acted upon, for example, by pivoting thejaw closure trigger 142 along arrow 183 as described. Once the tissuebite is secure between the jaws 144, the clinician may initiate theprovision of RF or other electro-surgical energy by the generator 102and through the electrodes 177, 179. The provision of RF energy may beaccomplished in any suitable way. See, for example, U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2011/0087216, entitled SURGICAL GENERATORFOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, filed Oct. 1, 2010, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,956,349, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

The electrodes 177 and 179 may be used, for example, to measureimpedance of a tissue bite present between the jaw members 167 and 169.The generator 102 may provide a signal (e.g., a non-therapeutic signal)to the electrodes 177 and 179. The impedance of the tissue bite may befound, for example, by monitoring the current, voltage, etc. of thesignal. Alternatively, the jaw members 167 and 169 of the end effector132 may comprise an additional pair of electrodes dedicated to measuringthe impedance of a tissue bite present between the jaw members 167 and169. The generator 102 may be in communication with such electrodes toprovide the non-therapeutic signal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the surgical system 100 of FIG. 1. The generator102 may comprise several separate functional elements, such as modulesand/or blocks. Different functional elements or modules may beconfigured for driving the different kinds of surgical devices 104, 106.For example an ultrasonic generator module 108 may drive an ultrasonicdevice, such as the ultrasonic device 104. An electrosurgery/RFgenerator module 110 may drive the electrosurgical device 106. Forexample, the respective modules 108, 110 may generate respective drivesignals for driving the surgical devices 104, 106. In variousembodiments, the ultrasonic generator module 108 and/or theelectrosurgery/RF generator module 110 each may be formed integrallywith the generator 102. Alternatively, one or more of the modules 108,110 may be provided as a separate circuit module electrically coupled tothe generator 102. (The modules 108 and 110 are shown in phantom toillustrate this option.) Also, in some embodiments, theelectrosurgery/RF generator module 110 may be formed integrally with theultrasonic generator module 108, or vice versa. See, for example, U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0087216, entitled SURGICALGENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, filed Oct. 1,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,956,349, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein. In certain instances, thesurgical system 100 may comprise one or more modules which can beemployed with multiple surgical instruments. For example, a module canbe employed with an ultrasonic device, such as the ultrasonic device 104and can be employed with an electrosurgical device such as, for example,the electrosurgical device 106; in such instance, the module can beemployed to generate drive signals for driving the surgical devices 104and 106, for example.

In certain instances, the generator 102 may comprise an input device 145(FIG. 1) located, for example, on a front panel of the generator 102console. The input device 145 may comprise any suitable device thatgenerates signals suitable for programming the operation of thegenerator 102. In operation, the user can program or otherwise controloperation of the generator 102 using the input device 145. The inputdevice 145 may comprise any suitable device that generates signals thatcan be used by the generator (e.g., by one or more processors containedin the generator) to control the operation of the generator 102 (e.g.,operation of the ultrasonic generator module 108 and/orelectrosurgery/RF generator module 110).

In various embodiments, the input device 145 includes one or more ofbuttons, switches, thumbwheels, keyboard, keypad, touch screen monitor,pointing device, remote connection to a general purpose or dedicatedcomputer. In other embodiments, the input device 145 may comprise asuitable user interface, such as one or more user interface screensdisplayed on a touch screen monitor, for example. Accordingly, by way ofthe input device 145, the user can set or program various operationalparameters of the generator, such as, for example, current (I), voltage(V), frequency (f), impedance (Z), and/or period (T) of a drive signalor signals generated by the ultrasonic generator module 108 and/orelectrosurgery/RF generator module 110.

The generator 102 may also comprise an output device 147 (FIG. 1)located, for example, on a front panel of the generator 102 console. Theoutput device 147 includes one or more devices for providing a sensoryfeedback to a user. Such devices may comprise, for example, visualfeedback devices (e.g., an LCD display screen, LED indicators), audiofeedback devices (e.g., a speaker, a buzzer) or tactile feedback devices(e.g., haptic actuators).

FIG. 9, illustrates an exemplary system 1000 for use with varioussurgical instruments of the surgical system 100 such as, for example,the ultrasonic device 104 and/or the RF surgical device 106. The system1000 may include a controller 1002 which may comprise a processor 1004and a memory 1006. It should be recognized that the system 1000 maycomprise multiple processors 1004 and/or multiple memory units 1006. Thememory 1006 may store a number of software modules such as, forexamples, one or more of the modules shown in FIGS. 10-12 and 15-18.Although certain modules and/or blocks of the system 1000 may bedescribed by way of example, it can be appreciated that a greater orlesser number of modules and/or blocks may be used. Further, althoughvarious embodiments may be described in terms of modules and/or blocksto facilitate description, such modules and/or blocks may be implementedby one or more hardware components, e.g., processors, Digital SignalProcessors (DSPs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs),Radio-frequency identifiers (RFIDs), circuits, registers and/or softwarecomponents, e.g., programs, subroutines, logic and/or combinations ofhardware and software components. For example, modules such as module1008 (See FIG. 10) may comprise software code that may be executed bythe processor 1004, which may cause the processor 1004 to performvarious actions dictated by the software code of the various modules, asexplained further below.

One or more of the modules described in FIGS. 10-12 and 15-18 maycomprise one or more embedded applications implemented as firmware,software, hardware, or any combination thereof. One or more of themodules 1008-1010 and 1502, 1504, 1506, and 1508 may comprise variousexecutable modules such as software, programs, data, drivers,application program interfaces (APIs), and so forth. The firmware may bestored in the memory 1006 which may comprise a nonvolatile memory (NVM),such as in bit-masked read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory. In variousimplementations, storing the firmware in ROM may preserve flash memory.The NVM may comprise other types of memory including, for example,programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), or battery backed random-accessmemory (RAM) such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDRAM),and/or synchronous DRAM (SDRAM). In certain instances, the memory 1006can be integrated with or fixed to the generator 102, for example. Incertain instances, the memory 1006 can be integrated with or fixed to asurgical device such as, for example, the ultrasonic device 104 and/orthe RF surgical device 106. Alternatively, in certain instances, thememory 1006 can be removably coupled to the generator 102 or thesurgical device, for example. In certain instances, data stored on thememory 1006 can be accessed through an access port such as, for example,a Universal Serial Bus (USB). In certain instances, the memory 1006 canbe separated or removed from the generator 102 or the surgical device toaccess the stored data, for example. In certain instances, the memory1006 could be stored in a separate compartment positioned on top of thegenerator 102, for example. In certain instances, the data stored on thememory 1006 can be accessible wirelessly. In certain instances, forexample, the data stored on the memory 1006 can be accessible via one ormore wireless communication protocols such as, for example, IEEE802.15.4 (ZigBee), IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE802.11n, IEEE 802.16a, IEEE 802.16g, Bluetooth or Infrared wirelesscommunication protocols.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 3, 4, and 9, the system 1000 can be adaptedfor monitoring accumulation of biological material onto an end effectorof a surgical instrument used to treat tissue. In certain instances, thesystem 1000 can be configured to identify and store data concerningincidents of biological material accumulation that can interfere withnormal operation of the surgical instrument. In certain instances, thesystem 1000 may be configured to alert a user to incidents of biologicalmaterial accumulation that can interfere with normal operation of thesurgical instrument. Biological material may accumulate onto an endeffector such as, for example, the end effector 126 and/or the endeffector 132 during repetitive use in tissue treatment cycles. The heatgenerated by the ultrasonic device 104 and/or the RF surgical device 106may, in part, cause biological material such as, for example, denaturedproteins and/or coagulated blood to adhere to the blade 151 and/or theclamp arm 155 of the ultrasonic device 104 and/or one or both of the jawmembers 167 and 169 of the RF surgical device 106, for example.Excessive accumulation of biological material may interfere with thenormal operation of the ultrasonic device 104 and/or the RF surgicaldevice 106. For example, the accumulating biological material mayincrease energy requirements during a treatment cycle.

In certain instances, the system 1000 can be configured to monitorbiological material accumulation onto the jaw members 167 and 169 bymonitoring a distance between the jaw members 167 and 169, for example.In certain instances, the jaw members 167 and 169 may define a gaptherebetween in the closed configuration; the gap may increase in sizein response to accumulation of biological material onto one or both ofthe jaw members 167 and 169. In other words, the size of the gap betweenthe jaw members 167 and 169, in the closed configuration, may correspondto the amount of biological material accumulated onto the jaw members167 and 169, for example. In certain instances, the size of the gapbetween the jaw members 167 and 169, in the closed configuration, may bedirectly proportional to the amount of biological material accumulatedonto the jaw members 167 and 169, for example. In certain instances, thedistance between the jaw members 167 and 169 can be monitored over timeand stored in the memory 1006. In certain instances, the system 1000 maycomprise one or more position sensors for monitoring the distancebetween the jaw members 167 and 169 in the closed configuration. Incertain instances, the system 1000 can be configured to alert a user ifthe gap size exceeds a predetermined threshold, for example.

In certain instances, the system 1000 may comprise a load cell (notshown) which can be operably coupled to a cutting member employed to cuttissue captured between the jaw member 167 and 169. The load cell may beconfigured to sense tissue resistance to the cutting member. Saidanother way, the load cell can be configured to sense the force requiredto advance the cutting member through the captured tissue. In certaininstances, the measured force can be progressively higher than expecteddue to biological material accumulation onto the jaw members 167 and169. In certain instances, the system 1000 may monitor the forcerequired to advance the cutting member and detect if the force exceeds athreshold, for example. In certain instances, the system 1000 can beconfigured to alert a user if the force exceeds the threshold. Incertain instances, the cutting member can be operably coupled to a motorthat can generate rotational motions to advance the cutting memberagainst the captured tissue; and a motor driver can control the motor.Furthermore, the system 1000 can be in signal communication with themotor driver. As the motor advances the cutting member, the system 1000can determine the current drawn by the motor, for example. In suchinstances, the force required to advance the cutting member cancorrespond to the current drawn by the motor, for example. As describedabove, the force can be progressively higher than expected due tobiological material accumulation onto the jaw members 167 and 169; andaccordingly, the current drawn by the motor may be progressively higherthan expected as well. In certain instances, if the increase in thecurrent drawn by the motor exceeds a predefined threshold, the system1000 may conclude that biological material accumulation onto the jawmembers 167 and 169 is excessive and, in response, may alert the user.The reader will appreciate that, among other things, motor speed, power,and/or voltage can be monitored to evaluate the resistance forceexperienced by the cutting member as the cutting member is advancedagainst tissue, for example.

In certain instances, the jaw members 167 and 169 may be transitionedbetween a first (open) position and a second (closed) position by aslidable blade member (not shown) which may comprise an “I”-beam typecross-section. The slidable blade member may serve two functions: (i) totransect the captured tissue, and (ii) to transition the jaw members 167and 169 between the open position and the closed position. Exemplaryclosure mechanisms suitable for use with the present disclosure aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,176, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEMSAND TECHNIQUES FOR SEALING TISSUE, and filed Oct. 23, 2000, which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In addition,U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,233, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT, and filedSep. 3, 2004, is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

In certain instances, the slidable blade member may comprise flangesthat are configured to engage the jaw members 167 and 169, for example.In addition, the slidable blade member may be operably coupled to amotor that can generate rotational motions to advance and retract theslidable blade member to transition the jaw members 167 and 169 betweenthe open position and the closed position. In certain instances, thesystem 1000 may comprise a load cell (not shown) which can be coupled tothe slidable blade member. The load cell may be configured to sense theforce required to retract the slidable blade member at predeterminedpositions along the path of the slidable blade member. The reader willappreciate that biological material accumulation onto one or both of thejaw members 167 and 169 may cause jaw members to adhere together andresist the opening forces applied by the slidable blade member duringthe retraction of the slidable blade member. In certain instances, thegreater the biological material accumulation, the greater the forcerequired to separate the jaw members 167 and 169. In certain instances,the force required to separate the jaw members 167 and 169 can beprogressively higher than expected due to biological materialaccumulation onto the jaw members 167 and 169. In certain instances, thesystem 1000 may monitor the force required to separate the jaw member167 and 169 and detect if the force exceeds a threshold, for example. Incertain instances, the system 1000 can be configured to alert a user ifthe force exceeds the threshold.

Further to the above, the system 1000 can be configured to monitorbiological material accumulation onto the first jaw member 167 and/orthe second jaw member 169 of the surgical device 106 by monitoringimpedance (Z) between the electrodes 177 and 179 of the surgical device106, for example. Further, the system 1000 can be configured, in asimilar manner, to monitor biological material accumulation onto theblade 151 and/or the clamp arm 155 of the surgical device 104 bymonitoring impedance (Z) between the electrodes 157 and 159, forexample. The reader will appreciate that some of the components of thesystem 1000 can be integrated with the generator 102. In certaincircumstances, some of the components of the system 1000 can beintegrated with the hand piece 116 of the ultrasonic device 104 or thehand piece 130 of the RF surgical device 106. For illustration purposes,the following disclosure describes the operation of the system 1000 withthe electrodes 177 and 179 of the surgical device 106. The reader willappreciate that the system 1000 can also be employed, in a similarmanner, with electrodes 157 and 159 of the surgical device 104.

Further to the above, the system 1000 may monitor the biologicalmaterial accumulation by monitoring impedance Z of tissue graspedbetween the jaw members 167 and 169. The system 1000 can be configuredto measure the impedance Z in a similar manner to that described in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0087216, entitled SURGICALGENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, filed Oct. 1,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,956,349, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein. For example, the processor 1004can be configured to employ the generator 102 to apply a non-therapeuticradio frequency (RF) signal to tissue grasped by the end effector 132between the jaw members 167 and 169. In certain instances, a currentsense circuit 1014 can be employed to sense current flowing betweenelectrodes 177 and 179 through the tissue. Furthermore, a voltage sensecircuit 1016 can be employed to sense an output voltage applied to theelectrodes 177 and 179 by the generator 102. The sensed values ofcurrent and voltage may be applied to an analog-to-digital converter(ADC) 1018 via an analog multiplexer 1020 circuit or switching circuitarrangement. The analog multiplexer 1020 may transmit the appropriateanalog signal to the ADC 1018 for conversion. The processor 1004 may beconfigured to receive the digital output of the ADC 1018 and calculatethe impedance Z of the tissue based on the measured values of currentand voltage. It is worthwhile noting that the RF energy applied to thetissue for purposes of measuring the tissue impedance Z can be a lowlevel non-therapeutic signal that may not contribute in a significantmanner, or at all, to the treatment of the tissue.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, and 13, the system 1000 may comprise a modulesuch as, for example, the module 1008 which can be configured to monitorbiological material accumulation onto the jaw members 167 and 169 duringmultiple treatment cycles by monitoring minimum tissue impedance Zminrecorded during each of a plurality of treatment cycles. An increasingtrend in the recorded minimum tissue impedance Zmin, as illustrated inFIG. 13, can indicate biological material accumulation onto the jawmembers 167 and 169. In certain instances, the module 1008 can beconfigured to alert a user to clean the jaw members 167 and 168, forexample, if the recorded minimum tissue impedance Zmin exceeds apredetermined threshold reflecting an excessive accumulation ofbiological material, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

The reader will appreciate that tissue impedance increases, at leastinitially, during a treatment cycle. In one non-limiting theory, theincrease noted in tissue impedance can be explained by water evaporationresulting from the heat generated during tissue treatment. In otherwords, as tissue is treated water stored in the tissue may evaporatecausing the treated tissue to become less conductive to electricitywhich, in turn, yields higher tissue impedance. As such, the biologicalmaterial accumulating during use on the jaw members 167 and 169 maycomprise a relatively high tissue impedance Z due to heat exposureduring previous treatment cycles, for example. As the jaw members 167and 168 grasp new tissue and as a new treatment cycle is activated, morebiological material may accumulate causing the current passing betweenthe electrodes 177 and 179 to experience higher minimum impedance at theonset of the new treatment cycle. The processor 1004 (FIG. 9) can beconfigured to detect the increase in the minimum tissue impedance Zminby monitoring and recording, in the memory 1006, a value for the minimumtissue impedance Zmin_((1 . . . n)) at the onset of each of a number oftreatment cycles C_((1 . . . n)). An increasing trend in the recordedminimum tissue impedance Zmin may indicate biological materialaccumulation.

In certain instances, the processor 1004 can be configured to alert auser of the surgical device 106 to clean the jaw members 167 and 168 ifthe recorded minimum tissue impedance (Zmin) exceeds a predeterminedthreshold, as illustrated in FIG. 13. For example, the system 1000 mayinclude one or more devices for providing a sensory feedback to a user.Such devices may comprise, for example, visual feedback devices (e.g.,an LCD display screen, LED indicators), audio feedback devices (e.g., aspeaker, a buzzer) or tactile feedback devices (e.g., haptic actuators).The processor 1004 can be configured to alert the user of the surgicaldevice 106 to clean the jaw members 167 and 168 through such devices.

Referring now to FIG. 11, another module 1009 can be employed with thesurgical system 1000 to monitor biological material accumulation andalert a user if the accumulation reaches a predetermined threshold. Aspreviously discussed, the processor 1004 can be configured to monitortissue impedance and measure a value for the minimum tissue impedanceZmin_((1 . . . n)) at the onset of each of a number of treatment cyclesC_((1 . . . n)). Furthermore, the processor 1004 can be configured tostore, in the memory 1006, the average of the measured values of theminimum tissue impedance AVG Zmin_((1 . . . n)) and compare the storedaverage to a prerecorded tissue impedance Ztest. The processor 1004 canbe programmed to alert a user, as previously discussed, to clean the jawmembers 167 and 169 if the AVG Zmin_((1 . . . n)) exceeds Ztest. Incertain instances, the processor 1004 can be programmed to alert a userto clean the jaw members 167 and 169 if the AVG Zmin_((1 . . . n))exceeds Ztest beyond a predetermined tolerance.

In certain circumstances, the processor 1004 can be programmed to alertthe user to clean the jaw members 167 and 169 if the AVGZmin_((1 . . . n)) exceeds Ztest by approximately 10%, by approximately20%, by approximately 30%, by approximately 40%, by approximately 50%,by approximately 60%, by approximately 70%, by approximately 80%, byapproximately 90%, and/or by approximately 100%, for example. In certaincircumstances, the processor 1004 can be programmed to issue a pluralityof alerts. For example, a first alert can be issued when the AVGZmin_((1 . . . n)) exceeds Ztest by approximately 50% and a second alertat approximately 200%

Referring now to FIG. 12, yet another module 1010 can be employed withthe system 1000 to monitor biological material accumulation and alert auser if the accumulation exceeds a threshold determined by impedance ofa test material. The processor 1004 can be configured to prompt a userto measure the test material's impedance Z and compare it to a storedvalue Ztest for the impedance of the test material. The processor 1004can be configured to prompt the user, as previously discussed, to cleanthe jaw members 167 and 169 if the measured test material's impedance Zexceeds Ztest by an acceptable tolerance. For example, the processor1004 can be programmed to alert the user if the impedance Z and thestored value Ztest for the impedance of the test material differ byapproximately 10%, by approximately 20%, by approximately 30%, byapproximately 40%, by approximately 50%, by approximately 60%, byapproximately 70%, by approximately 80%, by approximately 90%, and/or byapproximately 100%, for example. In certain circumstances, the processor1004 can be programmed to issue a plurality of alerts. For example, afirst alert can be issued at approximately 50% and a second alert atapproximately 200%.

In certain circumstances, the processor 1004 can be configured to promptthe user to record and store a Ztest value for the impedance of the testmaterial while the jaw members 167 and 169 are clean such as, forexample, at the onset of the surgical procedure. In such circumstances,the processor 1004 may prompt the user to grasp the test materialbetween the jaw members 167 and 169. Upon receiving confirmation thatthe test material is grasped between the jaw members 167 and 169, theprocessor 1004 may record a test impedance value Ztest of the testmaterial and may store the recorded value in the memory 1006, forexample. The processor 1004 may then prompt the user, following apredetermined number of treatment cycles for example, to assess thebiological material accumulation onto the jaw members 167 and 169 bymeasuring the impedance Z of the test material. If the measured value ofthe test material impedance Z exceeds the stored Ztest value, theprocessor 1004 may prompt the user to clean the jaw members 167 and 169.In certain circumstances, the test material can be provided with thesurgical device 106 in a kit, for example. Alternatively, the testmaterial can be a material readily available in a surgical environmentsuch as, for example, surgical gauze.

Referring again to FIG. 9, the present disclosure further provides amethod for using the system 1000 to alert a user to excessive biologicalmaterial accumulation onto an end effector of a surgical instrument usedto treat tissue such as for example, the surgical device 106. The methodincludes providing a non-therapeutic signal across the jaw members 167and 169 of the surgical device 106, detecting impedance between theelectrodes 177 and 179 in response to the non-therapeutic signal,comparing detected impedance to a predetermined threshold impedance, andproviding a signal when the detected impedance exceeds the predeterminedthreshold impedance such as, for example, an alert signal to a user ofthe surgical device 106, as previously described.

Referring Primarily to FIGS. 3, 4, 9A, and 14 the system 1000 can beconfigured to compile values of a plurality of operational parameters ofthe surgical system 100. For example, in certain instances, the system1000 can be configured to compile values of a plurality of operationalparameters of a surgical instrument of the surgical system 100 such as,for example, the ultrasonic device 104 and/or the RF surgical device106, during a plurality of tissue treatment cycles performed using thesurgical instrument. For example, the processor 1004 can be configuredto receive and/or calculate the values of the plurality of operationalparameters during each of the plurality of treatment cycles and storesuch values in the memory 1006. In certain circumstances, the storedvalues can be organized into a database such as, for example, a database1500 (See FIG. 14). In certain instances, in certain instances, thesystem 1000 can be configured to compile values of a plurality ofoperational parameters of a generator of the surgical system 100 suchas, for example, the generator 102.

Referring Primarily to FIGS. 3, 4, and 9A, a tissue treatment cycle maycomprise one or more therapeutic drive signals which can be generated bythe generator 102, for example, and delivered to the tissue using theultrasonic device 104 or the RF surgical device 106. See, for example,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0087216, entitled SURGICALGENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, filed Oct. 1,2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,956,349, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein. The system 1000 can also beconfigured to monitor and store the values of some or all of theoperational parameters of the generator 102 in connection with one ormore of the treatment cycle delivered by the generator 102 to thetissue. These operational parameters may include, for example, current(I), voltage (V), frequency (f), peak power (PP), energy expenditure(E), tissue impedance (Z), duty cycle (DT), end effector temperature,and/or time period (T) of a drive signal or signals during one or moretissue treatment cycles delivered by the generator 102. In certaininstances, the system 1000 can be configured to track other operationalparameters and usage data such as, for example, total surgical proceduretime, tissue type, surgical procedure type, user information, hospitalinformation, physician information, procedure location, error codes,device identification information including, for example, serial numberand/or device lot, and/or total time of operation. The reader willappreciate that the listed operational parameters are meant to beillustrative rather than exhaustive and that other operationalparameters of the generator 102, the surgical procedure, the ultrasonicdevice 104, and/or the RF surgical device 106 can also be monitored andstored by the system 1000 during one or more treatment cycles. Incertain instances, the surgical system 100 may comprise one or moremotors which can generate rotational forces for powering various driveassemblies such as, for example, a cutting member drive assembly adaptedfor advancement and retraction of a cutting member, for example. In suchinstances, the system 1000 can also be configured to track variousoperational parameters in connection with the motor such as, forexample, motor temperature, motor voltage, motor current, motor rpm,motor cycles, and/or force on the motor's drivetrain, for example.

Further to the above, the processor 1004 can be configured to monitorand store, in the memory 1006, the number of times a surgical instrumentof the surgical system 100 such as, for example, the ultrasonic device104, and/or the RF surgical device 106 is coupled to the generator 102.In certain instances, the processor 1004 can be configured to monitorand store, in the memory 1006, the number of times various end effectorsare employed and the frequency of utilization of each of the employedend effectors.

For example, a sensor can be operably coupled to the processor 1004 andcan be configured to detect coupling engagement of the surgicalinstrument to the generator 102. In at least one example, a circuit canbe operably coupled to the processor 1004 and may comprise a switch thatcan be transitionable between an open configuration while the surgicalinstrument is not connected to the generator 102 and a closedconfiguration while the surgical instrument is connected to thegenerator 102. In such circumstances, the switch may close the circuitupon connecting the surgical instrument to the generator 102. Inresponse, the circuit may transmit a signal to alert the processor 1004to increase by one a count stored in the memory 1006 of the number oftimes the surgical instrument is connected to the generator 102, forexample.

Referring to FIG. 14, illustrated is an exemplary table form of thedatabase 1500. The system 1000 can be configured to gather and store thevalues of the various operational parameters and other usage data in thememory 1006 in the database 1500, for example. The reader willappreciate that the values of the various operational parameters can bestored in the memory 1006 in a variety of different arrangements andthat the database 1500 is an exemplary illustrative technique forarranging data stored in the memory 1006. As illustrated in FIG. 14, thefirst column may list treatment cycle identification numbers. Othercolumns may be dedicated, for example, to current (I), voltage (V), peakpower (PP), energy expenditure (E), tissue impedance (Z), cycle time(T), end effector temperature, tissue type, procedure type, proceduretime, operation time, and user information, hospital information,procedure location. The processor 1004 can be configured to store thevalues of the operational parameters compiled during a treatment CycleC1, for example, in the row dedicated to the treatment cycle C1. Otherarrangements for the database 1500 are contemplated by the presentdisclosure.

In certain instances, as described above, the one or more of theelectrosurgical instruments of the present disclosure can be utilizedwith a motor which can generate rotational forces for powering variousdrive assemblies such as, for example, a cutting member drive assemblyfor advancement and retraction of a cutting member. In such instances,the processor 1004 can be configured to store, in the database 1500,values of various operational parameters in connection with the motorsuch as, for example, motor temperature, motor voltage, motor current,motor rpm, motor cycles, and/or force on the motor's drivetrain, forexample.

As described elsewhere in greater detail, a treatment cycle may involvepassing one or more therapeutic drive signals generated by the generator102 through tissue. FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary module 1502 for useby the processor 1004 for gathering and storing the values of theoperational parameters and other usage data during a plurality oftreatment cycles in the database 1500, for example. In certaincircumstances, the processor 1004 can be configured to calculate cycletime (T) from beginning to termination of a therapeutic drive signaldelivered to tissue. Calculated cycle time (T) can be stored in adedicated Column in the database 1500, as illustrated in FIG. 14.Furthermore, the current sense circuit 1014 can be employed by theprocessor 1004 to sense current passing through the tissue during thetreatment cycle. Furthermore, the voltage sense circuit 1016 can beemployed by the processor 1004 to sense output voltage applied by thegenerator 102 during the treatment cycle. The sensed values of currentand voltage can be communicated to the processor 1004, as previouslydescribed. The processor 1004 may calculate an average value for thevoltage V1 and current I1 monitored during the treatment cycle which canbe stored in dedicated columns in the database 1500, as illustrated inFIG. 14.

Further to the above, the processor 1004 can be configured to monitoractive time periods, while energy is being applied to tissue, andinactive time periods, while energy is not being applied to the tissue.In certain instances, the ratios of the active time periods to thecorresponding inactive time periods can be stored in the memory 1006. Incertain instances, the processor 1004 may calculate average tissueimpedance (Z) and minimum tissue impedance (Zmin) during the treatmentcycle from the sensed values of voltage and current. The average tissueimpedance (Z) and the minimum tissue impedance (Zmin) values can then bestored in dedicated columns in the database 1500, as illustrated in FIG.14. In certain circumstances, the processor 1004 can be configured tostore a plurality of values of each operating parameter during aplurality of time periods during a treatment cycle. In suchcircumstances, each treatment cycle may be represented by a dedicatedtable, for example.

Further to the above, the processor 1004 can be configured to calculatetotal energy (E) delivered to tissue during the treatment cycle. Forexample, the processor 1004 may monitor the cycle time (T) and the powerdelivered to tissue over that time as calculated from the sensed voltageand current values. The total energy (E) may then be determined bycalculating the total area under the Power (P) vs. Cycle time (T) curve,as illustrated in FIG. 14A. In certain circumstances, the value of thepeak power (PP) during a particular treatment cycle can be determined bya dedicated detector such as, for example, an RF Schottky Peak Detectorsold by Linear Technology, Inc. The processor 1004 may reset the peakpower detector at the onset of each new treatment cycle, for example. Incertain instances, one or more of the various operational parametersrecorded and stored in the memory 1006 can be stored in a condensed orcompressed form, for example. In certain instances, the stored data canbe compressed by consolidating the stored data in one or morehistograms, for example. In certain instances, various data compressionalgorithms can be employed to compress the stored data, for example. Incertain instances, some of the operational parameters of the surgicalsystem 100 can be stored in high fidelity while others can be calculatedfrom the data stored in high fidelity upon recovery of the stored data,for example. This practice can be desirable to save memory space, forexample. In certain instances, the parameters recorded over time (t) inhigh fidelity can be voltage (V) and current (I), for example. Incertain instances, the parameters recorded over time (t) in highfidelity can be impedance (Z) and current (I), for example. In certaininstances, the parameters recorded over time (t) in high fidelity can bevoltage (V) and impedance (Z), for example. The reader will appreciatethat various unrecorded parameters may then be calculated from therecorded parameters, for example.

In any event, the peak power (PP) and/or the total energy (E) deliveredto tissue during a particular treatment cycle can be communicated to theProcessor 1004 which may store these values in dedicated columns in thedatabase 1500, as illustrated in FIG. 14. In certain circumstances,tissue type, surgical procedure type, hospital information, userinformation, procedure location, and/or total procedure time, forexample, can be provided by a user through a user interface 1022, asillustrated in FIG. 9A. In response, the processor 1004 may input theseusage data to dedicated columns in the database 1500, as illustrated inFIG. 14. In certain circumstances, total operation time can becalculated by the processor 1004 by summing the time of all thetreatment cycles, for example. The processor 1004 may enter the totaloperation time into a dedicated column in the database 1500, asillustrated in FIG. 14.

As described above, the processor 1004 can be configured to record, inthe memory 1006, values of various operational parameters of thesurgical system 100 during a plurality of treatment cycles performed bya surgical instrument of the surgical system 100 such as, for example,the ultrasonic device 104 and/or the RF surgical device 106. In certaincircumstances, the processor 1004 can be configured to identify a subsetof the stored values of the plurality of operational parameters whichare temporally proximate to an intervening event. For example, asillustrated in module 1550 in FIG. 15A, the processor 1004 may storevalues of various operational parameters such as, for example, current(I), voltage (V), peak power (PP), energy expenditure (E), tissueimpedance (Z), cycle time (T), end effector temperature, tissue type,procedure type, procedure time, operation time, hospital information,procedure location, and/or user information during a number of treatmentcycles. In certain instances, the processor 1004 may store theseoperational parameters in the database 1500, for example. Upon detectingan intervening event such as, for example, an operational alert or errorof the surgical instrument and/or the generator 102, the processor 1004may be configured to identify a subset of the stored values of theoperational parameters that are temporally proximate to the interveningevent.

In certain instances, the processor 1004 may be configured to identify asubset of the stored values that preceded the intervening event in time,a subset of the stored values that coincided with the intervening eventin time, and/or a subset of the stored values that followed theintervening event in time. In certain instances, the processor 1004 canbe configured to identify a subset of the stored values that wasrecorded in a time period starting at, for example, 10 minutes prior tothe intervening event and/or ending at, for example, 10 minutes past theintervening event. In certain instances, the processor 1004 can beconfigured to identify a subset of the stored values that was recordedin a time period starting at, for example, 5 minutes prior to theintervening event and/or ending at, for example, 5 minutes past theintervening event. In certain instances, the processor 1004 can beconfigured to identify a subset of the stored values that was recordedin a time period starting at, for example, 1 minute prior to theintervening event and/or ending at, for example, 1 minute past theintervening event. In certain instances, the processor 1004 can beconfigured to identify a subset of the stored values that was recordedin a time period starting at, for example, 10 seconds prior to theintervening event and/or ending at, for example, 10 seconds past theintervening event. The reader will appreciate that the time periodsoutlined above are exemplary time periods and that the processor 1004can be configured to identify subsets of the stored values recorded inother time periods.

In certain circumstances, the processor 1004 can be configured toidentify the subsets of the values of the various operational parametersstored in the memory 1006 and associated with an intervening event byhighlighting these stored values in a particular color, for example. Incertain circumstances, the processor 1004 may only retain certainsubsets of the values of the various operational parameters stored inthe memory 1006. For example, the processor 1004 may retain the subsetsof the values of the various operational parameters stored in the memory1006 that are associated with intervening events.

As described above, an intervening event that may trigger the processor1004 to identify a subset of the stored values of the operationalparameters of the surgical system 100 can be an operational error and/oralert of the surgical system 100. In at least one example, theintervening event can be an event that causes the surgical system 100 toreset, for example, by initiating a reset sequence. The processor 1004can be configured to detect the initiation of the reset sequence andidentify the subset of the stored values recorded in a time periodstarting at a time prior to the initiation of the reset sequence and/orending at a time past the initiation of the reset sequence. In certaincircumstances, the intervening event can be associated with one or morevalues of one or more of the operational parameters monitored during theoperation of the surgical system 100. In certain instances, values ofcurrent (I), voltage (V), peak power (PP), energy expenditure (E),tissue impedance (Z), and/or cycle time (T) which fall outsidepredetermined ranges can be recognizable by the processor 1004 asintervening events. For example, the processor 1004 may receive one ormore values of the measured tissue impedance (Z) that may be higher orlower than an acceptable range. In response, the processor 1004 can beconfigured to identify a subset of the stored values of the operationalparameters of the surgical system 100 that is associated with suchintervening events to permit examination of the circumstancessurrounding these intervening events.

In certain circumstances, the processor 1004 can be configured to storesample values of various operational parameters such as, for example,current (I), voltage (V), peak power (PP), energy expenditure (E),tissue impedance (Z), end effector temperature, and/or time (T) duringone or more treatment cycles performed by a surgical instrument of thesurgical system 100 such as, for example, the ultrasonic device 104and/or the RF surgical device 106. Storing sample values of the variousoperational parameters can reduce the size of the data stored in thememory 1006, for example. In certain instances, the sampling can becontinuously performed throughout a treatment cycle. In certaininstances, processing of the sampled data can be performed at thetermination of a treatment cycle. In certain instances, processing ofthe sampled data can be performed at the termination of a surgicalprocedure. In certain instances, the processing of the sampled data canbe performed in real-time through out a treatment cycle, for example.

In certain instances, the sampling may be performed by the processor1004 at one or more designated parts of a treatment cycle, for example.In at least one example, the sampling may be performed by the processor1004 at an initial segment of the treatment cycle. In at least oneexample, the sampling may be performed by the processor 1004 at anintermediate segment of the treatment cycle. In at least one example,the sampling may be performed by the processor 1004 at a final segmentof the treatment cycle. In certain circumstances, the processor 1004 canbe configured to sample and store, in the memory 1006, the total energy(E) delivered to the tissue at certain impedance ranges during atreatment cycle. These impedance ranges can include, for example, about0 to about 4.99 ohms, about 5 to about 19.99 ohms, about 20 to about99.99 ohms, about 100 to about 299.99 ohms, and/or greater than about300 ohms, for example. The reader will appreciate that the processor1004 can be configured to sample and store, in the memory 1006, valuesof various other operational parameters of the surgical system 100during the abovementioned impedance ranges, for example.

Further to the above, the sampling can be performed by the processor1004 in response to a triggering event. For example, one or morefrequencies of the generator 102 can be triggering events. In suchcircumstances, the processor 1004 can be configured to perform thesampling while the generator 102 is at a particular frequency or in arange of frequencies during one or more treatment cycles performed by asurgical instrument powered by the generator 102 such as, for example,the ultrasonic device 104 and/or the RF surgical device 106. In at leastone example, the processor 1004 may sample and store the measured valuesof, for example, current (I), voltage (V), peak power (PP), energyexpenditure (E), and/or tissue impedance (Z) during a treatment cycleperformed by the surgical instrument. In certain instances, theprocessor 1004 may sample the values of the various operationalparameters described in the present disclosure at as sampling rate ofabout 20 HZ, for example. In certain instances, the sampling rate can beany sampling rate selected from a range of about 5 HZ to about 100 HZ,for example. In at least one example, the processor 1004 may sample andstore the measured values of current (I), voltage (V), peak power (PP),energy expenditure (E), and/or tissue impedance (Z) during a treatmentcycle performed by the surgical at a sampling rate of about 10 HZ, forexample. Other sampling rates are contemplated by the presentdisclosure.

In certain circumstances, a surgical instrument of the surgical system100 such as, for example, the ultrasonic device 104 and/or the RFsurgical device 106 may include temperature sensors to measure, forexample, the temperature of the jaws of the surgical instrument and/orthe temperature of tissue captured by the jaws of the surgicalinstrument before, during, and/or after one or more of the treatmentcycles performed by the surgical instrument. In certain instances, theprocessor 1004 can be configured to receive and store, in the memory1006, the measured temperature of the jaws and/or the captured tissue.Such data may provide insight into the performance of the surgicalinstrument. A variety of other sensors can be utilized to provide theprocessor 1004 with data regarding various operational parameters of thesurgical system 100. The sensors may include optical sensors, forcesensors, and/or chemical sensors, for example. In certain instances, oneor more force sensors such as, for example, strain gauges and load cellscan be utilized to measure the force applied by the jaws of the surgicalinstrument against tissue captured by the jaws and/or the torquerequired to close the jaws. In certain circumstances, chemical sensors(typically done via gaseous head space analysis and/or spectroscopy) maytest the composition of the smoke resulting during a treatment cycleperformed by the surgical instrument. Such data can also be received andstored by the processor 1004 in the memory 1006 to provide insight intothe performance of the surgical instrument.

In certain circumstances, as described above, the processor 1004 can beconfigured to store, in the memory 1006, some or all of the measuredand/or calculated values of the various operational parameters of thesurgical system 100 during one or more treatment cycles performed by thesurgical system 100 such as, for example, current (I), voltage (V), peakpower (PP), energy expenditure (E), tissue impedance (Z), and/or time(T). In other circumstances, the processor 1004 may store, in the memory1006, statistical summaries of such values. Statistical summary datasuch as histogram data of the total energy expenditure (E) consumed pertreatment cycle, for example, may be stored by the processor 1004 in thememory 1006. Such statistical data may provide insight into theperformance the surgical instruments and can be useful for root causingfailed surgical instruments, for example.

In certain instances, as described above, the processor 1004 may storevalues for various operational parameters of the surgical system 100 onthe memory 1006. In certain instances, the memory 1006 can be housedwithin, attached to, and/or coupled to a surgical instrument of thesurgical system 100 such as, for example, the ultrasonic device 104and/or the RF surgical device 106. In certain instances, as describedabove, the data stored on the memory 1006 can be accessible wirelessly.In certain instances, for example, the data stored on the memory 1006can be accessible via one or more wireless communication protocols suchas, for example, IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee), IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b,IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.16a, IEEE 802.16g, Bluetooth orInfrared wireless communication protocols. In certain instances, thesurgical instrument that houses the memory 1006 can be discarded at thecompletion of the surgical instrument's life cycle. For example, thesurgical instrument can be dropped in a disposal container at thecompletion of the surgical instrument's life cycle.

In certain instances, as illustrated in FIG. 19, a data transmissiontriggering module 2000 can be employed to initiate wireless transmissionof the data stored on the memory 1006 at a triggering event, forexample. In certain instances, the triggering event can be the droppingof the surgical instrument in the disposal container. The datatransmission triggering module 2000 may include a Radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) receiver 2001; and the disposal container mayinclude an RFID transmitter 2002. In certain instances, the processor1004 can be operably coupled to the RFID receiver 2001 and can beconfigured to detect receipt of a triggering signal by the RFID receiver2001 from the RFID transmitter 2002. In certain instances, thetriggering signal can be limited in range such that the RFID receiver2001 may be able to receive the triggering signal when the RFIDtransmitter 2002 in a predetermined proximity from the RFID receiver2001. In certain instances, the triggering signal transmitted by theRFID transmitter 2002 can detected by the RFID receiver 2001 when thesurgical instrument is dropped in the disposal container, for example.In response, the processor 1004 can be configured to activate a datatransmitter 2004 configured to wirelessly transmit the data stored inthe memory 1006 to a receiver 2006 which may deposit the stored data inan external storage device, for example, so that the stored data can beaccessed and/or analyzed.

As described elsewhere in greater detail, the generator 102 can bepowered by a battery. In certain circumstances, the generator 102 andthe battery can be integrated with a surgical instrument such as, forexample, the ultrasonic device 104 or the RF surgical device 106. Incertain instances, the values of the total energy (E) consumption storedby the processor 1004 in the memory 1006 can be used to predict thebattery's life cycle and/or optimize the battery performance in futuredesigns. In certain instances, the stored values for the total energy(E) delivered during the treatment cycles performed by the surgicalinstrument can be analyzed, for example, by the manufacturer at the endof the instrument's life cycle to assess the battery's performance whichcan provide useful insight in optimizing battery design.

Further to the above, a processor such as, for example, the processor1004 can be configured to predict the remaining battery life of abattery utilized with a surgical instrument such as, for example, theultrasonic device 104 or the RF surgical device 106. In certaininstances, the processor 1004 can be a battery life processor such as,for example, battery life processors bq34z100 and/or bq30z55-R1 EVMmanufactured by Texas Instruments Inc. In certain instances, theprocessor 1004 may calculate the sum of the total energy (E) deliveredduring the treatment cycles performed by the surgical instrument. Theprocessor 1004 may then estimate the remaining battery life from thecalculated sum of the stored values of the total energy (E) and a storedvalue of the total energy in a full battery, for example. In certaininstances, the processor 1004 may monitor and store the total energy (E)consumed from the battery prior to and/or up to a predeterminedcondition. In certain instances, the predetermined condition can betriggered when an alert is communicated to a user by the processor 1004that the battery is nearly depleted, for example. In certain instances,the processor 1004 may record static battery voltage over time to assessbattery capacity after known amounts of energy have been expended.

In certain instances, the processor 1004 can be configured to generate asignal to alert a user when the battery life is depleted toapproximately 50% of its initial capacity, to approximately 30% of itsinitial capacity, to approximately 20% of its initial capacity, toapproximately 10% of its initial capacity, to approximately 5% of itsinitial capacity, and/or to approximately 2% of its initial capacity,for example.

In certain circumstances, the processor 1004 can be configured topredict the number of complete treatment cycles that can be performed bythe surgical instrument before the battery is depleted based onhistorical data of the total energy (E) consumed in previously performedtreatment cycles. For example, the processor 1004 can be configured toestimate the total energy (E) consumption in a treatment cycle byaveraging the total energy (E) consumed during previous treatmentcycles. An estimate of the number of the remaining treatment cycles canthen be calculated by the processor 1004 from the calculated remainingbattery life and the estimated total energy (E) consumption in atreatment cycle. In certain instances, the processor 1004 can beemployed to alert a user when the number of remaining treatment cyclesreaches a predetermined threshold. For example, the processor 1004 mayalert the user when the number of remaining treatment cycles reachesabout 20 treatment cycles. For example, the processor 1004 may alert theuser when the number of remaining treatment cycles reaches about 10treatment cycles. For example, the processor 1004 may alert the userwhen the number of remaining treatment cycles reaches about 5 treatmentcycles.

A method for predicting a battery life cycle of a battery configured topower a surgical instrument to treat tissue may comprise monitoringenergy expenditure of the battery during each of a plurality oftreatment cycles performed by the surgical instrument. The method mayfurther comprise storing values of the monitored energy expenditure in amemory unit and calculating total energy expenditure from the storedvalues. The method may further comprise predicting remaining batterylife from the calculated total energy expenditure.

As described herein, the processor 1004 can be configured to receivevalues of various operational parameters of a surgical system 100 suchas, for example, the ultrasonic device 104 and/or the RF surgical device106 during one or more treatment cycles performed by the surgicalinstrument. In certain instances, the processor 1004 can be configuredto store such values, samples of such values, and/or statistical summarydata of such values in a memory unit such as, for example, the memory1006. In certain circumstances, the memory 1006 can be housed within thegenerator 102, for example. In other circumstances, the memory 1006 canbe housed within the surgical instrument such as, for example, theultrasonic device 104 or the RF surgical device 106, for example. Inother words, each surgical instrument may include a memory unit to storethe values, samples of the values, and/or statistical summary data ofthe values of the operational parameters of the surgical system 100.

In certain circumstances, the memory 1006 can be removably coupled tothe surgical instrument. For example, the memory 1006 may comprise aflash memory card which can be removably housed in a socket within theultrasonic device 104 or the RF surgical device 106, for example. Thedata stored in the flash memory card can be recovered at the end of asurgical procedure and/or at the end of an instrument's lifecycle toanalyze the stored data, for example. In certain instances, the memory1006 can be accessible through an interface such as a universal serialbus (USB) interface or a micro-USB interface. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 15B, the memory 1006 can be accessible through amicro-usb connector 1510 located near a proximal end of an interfacecable 1512 between the surgical instrument and the generator 102. Incertain circumstances, the memory 1006 can be accessible through amicro-usb connector in a handle of the ultrasonic device 104 and/or theRF surgical device 106, for example.

Referring now to FIG. 16, illustrated is a module 1504 for use with thesystem 1000 to provide user specific performance feedback to a user of asurgical instrument such as, for example, the ultrasonic device 104and/or the RF surgical device 106. The provided feedback can be basedupon monitored operational parameters gathered by the processor 1004 andstored in the memory 1006 during use of the ultrasonic device 104 and/orthe RF surgical device by the user. Such feedback may be beneficial inevaluating the user's performance and determining, for example, if thedevice is being used properly by the user.

As described above in greater detail, the processor 1004 can beconfigured to receive information about a user of the ultrasonic device104 and/or the RF surgical device through the user interface 1022, forexample, which can be stored in the memory 1006. Such information mayinclude a user's name, an identification number, hospital information,surgical procedure type, and/or device type. As illustrated in FIG. 16,the processor 1004 can be configured to associate user identifyinginformation, device identifying information, and/or surgical procedureidentifying information with values of the operational parameterscompiled during treatment cycles performed by the user. The processor1004 may be configured to evaluate the user's performance by comparingthe values of the operational parameters compiled during one or moretreatment cycles performed by the user to preset normal standards storedin the memory 1006, for example, to determine whether the surgicalinstrument is being used properly. In at least one example, if one ormore of the compiled values differ from the stored preset normalstandards beyond an acceptable tolerance, the processor 1004 can beprogrammed to alert the user to improve the user's performance.

In some circumstances, the processor 1004 may compare the user'sperformance to historical usage data stored by the processor 1004 in thememory 1006 during previous treatment cycles performed by the user. Inother circumstances, as illustrated in module 1506 in FIG. 17, theprocessor 1004 may compare a user's performance to performance of otherusers which may have been compiled by the processor 1004 and stored inthe memory 1006 during previous usage of the instrument by the otherusers, for example. This may allow for evaluating the user's performanceagainst the performance of other users under similar settings such as,for example, users in the same hospital and/or users performing the sameor similar surgical procedures. In yet other circumstances, theprocessor 1004 may evaluate a user's performance against a combinationof the preset normal standards and other users' performance. In anyevent, if the processor 1004 determines that the user's performance isnot within an acceptable tolerance when compared to the preset normalstandards (See FIG. 16) and/or other users' performance (See FIG. 17),the processor 1004 may issue a signal to inform the user of any issueswith the user's performance and/or to suggest areas of improvement, forexample.

As described above in greater detail, the processor 1004 can beconfigured to monitor and store treatment cycle duration time (T) andassociate the duration time of a particular treatment cycle with useridentification information such as, for example, the user's name and/oridentification number which can be provided by the user through the userinterface 1022, for example. In certain circumstances, actual treatmentcycle duration time (Ta) can be controlled by the user who may end thetreatment cycle prematurely or continue the treatment cycle past apreset recommended treatment cycle time (Tr) which can be stored in thememory unit 1006. The user may initiate a treatment cycle by signaling aprocessor such as, for example, the processor 1004 through the userinterface 1022, for example, to activate the generator 102 to generate atherapeutic drive signal thereby causing current to pass through tissuecaptured by a surgical instrument such as, for example, the ultrasonicdevice 104 or the RF surgical device 106. At the completion of thetreatment cycle, the user may terminate the treatment cycle by signalingthe processor 1004, through the interface 1022, to deactivate thegenerator 102.

Referring to FIG. 18, illustrated is a module 1508 for use with thesystem 1000 (FIG. 9A) to evaluate a user's performance. The processor1004 can be programmed to compare the actual treatment cycle durationtime (Ta) to the preset recommended treatment cycle time (Tr) to assessthe user's compliance with the preset recommended treatment cycle time(Tr) for a particular treatment cycle. The user's compliance can bemonitored over a number of treatment cycles N performed by the user andthe processor 1004 may calculate the percentage of user compliance bycalculating the percentage of treatment cycles where the user compliedwith the recommended time against the total number of cycles performedby the user. If the calculated percentage does not fall within anacceptable tolerance, the processor 1004 may be configured to issue asignal to instruct the user to comply with the recommended treatmentcycle time (Tr), for example. In certain circumstances, the processor1004 can be configured to store, in the memory 1006, the identificationinformation for each of the users with a user compliance percentage thatis lower than a threshold. The stored data can be recovered to providesuch users with additional training, for example.

In certain circumstances, the acceptable tolerance can be based on apreset standard stored in the memory unity 1006. In other circumstances,the acceptable tolerance can be determined based on other users'performance such as, for example, users in the same hospital and/orusers performing the same or similar surgical procedures. In yet othercircumstances, the acceptable tolerance can be determined based on acombination of the preset standard and other users' performance.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “someembodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, meansthat a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described inconnection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in someembodiments,” “in one embodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like,in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features,structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner inone or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, orcharacteristics illustrated or described in connection with oneembodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the featuresstructures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments withoutlimitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

Although some embodiments may be illustrated and described as comprisingfunctional components, software, engines, and/or modules performingvarious operations, it can be appreciated that such components ormodules may be implemented by one or more hardware components, softwarecomponents, and/or combination thereof. The functional components,software, engines, and/or modules may be implemented, for example, bylogic (e.g., instructions, data, and/or code) to be executed by a logicdevice (e.g., processor). Such logic may be stored internally orexternally to a logic device on one or more types of computer-readablestorage media. In other embodiments, the functional components such assoftware, engines, and/or modules may be implemented by hardwareelements that may include processors, microprocessors, circuits, circuitelements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and soforth), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits(ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors(DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), logic gates, registers,semiconductor device, chips, microchips, chip sets, and so forth.

Examples of software, engines, and/or modules may include softwarecomponents, programs, applications, computer programs, applicationprograms, system programs, machine programs, operating system software,middleware, firmware, software modules, routines, subroutines,functions, methods, procedures, software interfaces, application programinterfaces (API), instruction sets, computing code, computer code, codesegments, computer code segments, words, values, symbols, or anycombination thereof. Determining whether an embodiment is implementedusing hardware elements and/or software elements may vary in accordancewith any number of factors, such as desired computational rate, powerlevels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input data rates,output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and other design orperformance constraints.

In some cases, various embodiments may be implemented as an article ofmanufacture. The article of manufacture may include a computer readablestorage medium arranged to store logic, instructions and/or data forperforming various operations of one or more embodiments. In variousembodiments, for example, the article of manufacture may comprise amagnetic disk, optical disk, flash memory or firmware containingcomputer program instructions suitable for execution by a generalpurpose processor or application specific processor. The embodiments,however, are not limited in this context.

The functions of the various functional elements, logical blocks,modules, and circuits elements described in connection with theembodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in the general contextof computer executable instructions, such as software, control modules,logic, and/or logic modules executed by the processing unit. Generally,software, control modules, logic, and/or logic modules comprise anysoftware element arranged to perform particular operations. Software,control modules, logic, and/or logic modules can comprise routines,programs, objects, components, data structures and the like that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Animplementation of the software, control modules, logic, and/or logicmodules and techniques may be stored on and/or transmitted across someform of computer-readable media. In this regard, computer-readable mediacan be any available medium or media useable to store information andaccessible by a computing device. Some embodiments also may be practicedin distributed computing environments where operations are performed byone or more remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment,software, control modules, logic, and/or logic modules may be located inboth local and remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Additionally, it is to be appreciated that the embodiments describedherein illustrate example implementations, and that the functionalelements, logical blocks, modules, and circuits elements may beimplemented in various other ways which are consistent with thedescribed embodiments. Furthermore, the operations performed by suchfunctional elements, logical blocks, modules, and circuits elements maybe combined and/or separated for a given implementation and may beperformed by a greater number or fewer number of components or modules.As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading thepresent disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described andillustrated herein has discrete components and features which may bereadily separated from or combined with the features of any of the otherseveral aspects without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of eventsrecited or in any other order which is logically possible.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, it may be appreciated that termssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or thelike, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computingsystem, or similar electronic computing device, such as a generalpurpose processor, a DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device,discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or anycombination thereof designed to perform the functions described hereinthat manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physicalquantities (e.g., electronic) within registers and/or memories intoother data similarly represented as physical quantities within thememories, registers or other such information storage, transmission ordisplay devices.

It is worthy to note that some embodiments may be described using theexpression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. Theseterms are not intended as synonyms for each other. For example, someembodiments may be described using the terms “connected” and/or“coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physicalor electrical contact with each other. The term “coupled,” however, alsomay mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. Withrespect to software elements, for example, the term “coupled” may referto interfaces, message interfaces, and application program interface(API), exchanging messages, and so forth.

Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or inpart, that is the to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporatedherein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does notconflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosurematerial set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extentnecessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes anyconflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, orportion thereof, that is the to be incorporated by reference herein, butwhich conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or otherdisclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to theextent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material andthe existing disclosure material.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, thepresent invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover anyvariations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its generalprinciples. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains.

1-23. (canceled)
 24. A system for use with a surgical instrument, thesystem comprising: an end effector comprising first and secondelectrodes; a memory circuit to store computer-executable instructionsfor performing a biological material accumulation monitoring process;and a processor coupled to the memory circuit, the processor configuredto execute the computer-executable instructions to: initiate a firsttreatment cycle; measure a first plurality of force values during thefirst treatment cycle; determine a first minimum force value for thefirst treatment cycle based on the measured first plurality of forcevalues; compare the first minimum force value to a predetermined forcethreshold; and generate an alert based on comparing the first minimumforce value to the predetermined force threshold.
 25. The system ofclaim 24, wherein the processor is further configured to execute thecomputer-executable instructions to: initiate a second treatment cycle;measure a second plurality of force values during the second treatmentcycle; determine a second minimum force value for the second treatmentcycle based on the measured second plurality of force values; comparethe second minimum force value to the predetermined force threshold; andgenerate a second alert based on comparing the second minimum forcevalue to the predetermined force threshold.
 26. The system of claim 25,wherein the processor is further configured to execute thecomputer-executable instructions to: compare the first minimum forcevalue and the second minimum force value to a second predeterminedthreshold; and generate a third alert based on comparing the first andsecond minimum force values to the second predetermined threshold. 27.The system of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured toexecute the computer-executable instructions to: determine an average ofthe first minimum force value and the second minimum force value; andgenerate a third alert based on comparing the average to a secondpredetermined threshold.
 28. The system of claim 25, wherein the systemcomprises a load cell to sense a force value of the end effector. 29.The system of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured toexecute the computer-executable instructions to: apply a therapeuticradio frequency drive signal to at least one of the first or secondelectrodes for initiating a treatment cycle.
 30. The system of claim 25,further comprising: a connector configured to access the memory circuit,wherein the connector is a micro-USB (universal serial bus) connector.31. A surgical instrument comprising: an end effector comprising firstand second electrodes; a memory circuit to store computer-executableinstructions for performing a biological material accumulationmonitoring process; a connector configured to access the memory circuit;and a processor coupled to the memory circuit, the processor configuredto execute the computer-executable instructions to: initiate a firsttreatment cycle; measure a first plurality of force values during thefirst treatment cycle; determine a first minimum force value for thefirst treatment cycle based on the measured first plurality of forcevalues; compare the first minimum force value to a predetermined forcethreshold; and generate an alert based on comparing the first minimumforce value to the predetermined force threshold.
 32. The surgicalinstrument of claim 31, wherein the processor is further configured toexecute the computer-executable instructions to: initiate a secondtreatment cycle; measure a second plurality of force values during thesecond treatment cycle; determine a second minimum force value for thesecond treatment cycle based on the measured second plurality of forcevalues; compare the second minimum force value to the predeterminedforce threshold; and generate a second alert based on comparing thesecond minimum force value to the predetermined force threshold.
 33. Thesurgical instrument of claim 32, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the computer-executable instructions to: comparethe first minimum force value and the second minimum force value to asecond predetermined threshold; and generate a third alert based oncomparing the first and second minimum force values to the secondpredetermined threshold.
 34. The surgical instrument of claim 32,wherein the connector is a micro-USB (universal serial bus) connector.35. The surgical instrument of claim 32, wherein the first and secondelectrodes are configured to receive a therapeutic radio frequency drivesignal.
 36. A method of monitoring biological material accumulation ontoan end effector of a surgical instrument, the surgical instrumentcomprising an end effector comprising a first and second electrode, amemory circuit, and a processor coupled to the memory circuit, themethod comprising: initiating, by the processor, a first treatmentcycle; measuring, by the processor, a first plurality of force valuesduring the first treatment cycle; determining, by the processor, a firstminimum force value for the first treatment cycle based on the measuredfirst plurality of force values; comparing, by the processor, the firstminimum force value to a predetermined force threshold; and generating,by the processor, an alert based on comparing the first minimum forcevalue to the predetermined force threshold.
 37. The method of claim 36,further comprising: initiating, by the processor, a second treatmentcycle; measuring, by the processor, a second plurality of force valuesduring the second treatment cycle; determining, by the processor, asecond minimum force value for the second treatment cycle based on themeasured second plurality of force values; comparing, by the processor,the second minimum force value to the predetermined force threshold; andgenerating, by the processor, a second alert based on comparing thesecond minimum force value to the predetermined force threshold.
 38. Themethod of claim 37, further comprising: comparing, by the processor, thefirst minimum force value and the second minimum force value to thesecond predetermined threshold; generating, by the processor, a thirdalert based on comparing the first and second minimum force values to asecond predetermined threshold.
 39. The method of claim 37, furthercomprising: determining, by the processor, an average of the firstminimum force value and the second minimum force value; generating, bythe processor, a third alert based on comparing the average to a secondpredetermined threshold.
 40. The method of claim 37, wherein thesurgical instrument comprises a cutting member, and wherein measuring aforce value comprises sensing, by a load cell, a force required toadvance the cutting member of the surgical instrument.
 41. The method ofclaim 37, wherein initiating a treatment cycle comprises applying atherapeutic radio frequency signal to at least one of the first orsecond electrodes.